A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord – and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.

Reflection

Throughout the Old Testament, we have the history of God’s people. It’s not just a religious or national history. It’s a family history – one which leads to Jesus. But what a dodgy bunch of forebears Jesus had! Sure, there had been some “glory days,” but the folks in Jesus’ genealogy remind us of people’s fickleness in turning away from God time and time again. Isaiah compares Jesse’s line to a stump that has been cut down. But in Jesus, that stump would bring forth a glorious new branch which would bear much fruit.

Jesus was not the sum of his poor ancestry. Neither is our past or our family background the whole of our story. What matters is how we are “grafted” into the life that Jesus gives.

Question

How has your relationship with your family of origin impacted your walk with God, for good or ill? In what areas would you like God to bring change to your family?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I give you thanks that I am your child, “grafted into” your family. I thank you for your love and compassion and for the strength you give to me. I ask your blessing on all of my family members, particularly those who do not know you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.